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Guide to Health IT Career Success
Session SI1 February 15, 2019
Bonnie Siegel FHIMSS
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Bonnie Siegel, FHIMSS
Has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.
Conflict of Interest
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Health IT job market overview
Skills sought by hiring professionals
Resume discussion and review
Tips on interviewing and negotiations
Agenda
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Identify the key factors for the health IT market demand
Analyze skills and attributes that are sought after by hiring professionals
Illustrate what components make up a winning resume
Prepare for successful interviewing and negotiations
Learning Objectives
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Healthcare provider organizations
Hospitals, health systems, medical groups, ambulatory settings,
long term care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, skilled nursing
facilities
Health IT vendor and consulting firms
Software vendors, management consulting firms, start-ups
Government and military health organizations
Pharmaceutical and Bio-tech companies
Professional associations in health IT
Insurance and payers
Education and academic
Overview of the Health IT Job Market
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Respondents
61% Healthcare provider organizations
39% Vendor and consulting firms
Top priorities for the coming year
Patient Safety
Privacy, Security and Cybersecurity
Data Analytics/Clinical and Business Intelligence
Projected resource demands
Vendors/consultants expect an increase in business
Hospitals are projecting IT operating budgets will remain the same
or be reduced
Source: 2018 U.S. HIMSS Leadership and Workforce Survey
HIMSS Workforce Survey 2018
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Leadership roles in health system IT
CIO, CTO, CISO, directors, managers, team leaders
Informatics roles
CMIO, CNIO, clinical and medical informatics leaders
Specialized IT positions
Technical IT support, IT security, system support, quality control,
help desk and system design
Data analytics and business intelligence specialists
Specialized IT positions
Project management
Implementation experts
HIM release of information
Financial and clinical support specialists
What Positions are In Demand?
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Academic
Department chairs
Professors
Adjunct professors and faculty
Vendor and consulting roles
Sales
Marketing
Market research
Customer service
Project managers
Implementation experts
What Other Positions are In Demand?
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Ideally five years of proven leadership ability
Communication, customer service, sales and interpersonal skills
Personnel management ability
Project management skills
Healthcare financial application expertise
Clinical application and workflow knowledge
Vendor product knowledge and implementation experience
Technical expertise
Key Skills and Background Sought by
Health IT Employers
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Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or
university
Masters degree is preferred, MBA is a plus
Licenses and certifications applicable to the position
Education Sought by Health IT
Employers
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Invest in education: BS, MS, MBA
Consider certifications: PMP, CPHIMS, Six Sigma
Develop leadership skills
Identify internal and external mentors and coaches
Lighten up – work/life balance, paint, dance, play in a band
Network, attend conferences, intern, volunteer
Be savvy about social media, google yourself
Improve on verbal and written communication skills
Prepare Yourself for the Future
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Start with your contact information – “Where can the reader contact you?”
Include a brief summary paragraph “Why am I qualified”
Reverse chronological format (present to past)
Description of employers in one or two sentences, adds instant credibility
Dates, locations, and titles for each position
Group all positions for one employer under one heading
Resume Writing Tips
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Tell your unique career story, stand out from the crowd, list your key
accomplishments, not responsibilities
List education, certifications, licenses, honors or technical skills at the end
Use a traditional format, conservative font and style, no bold or colors,
proofread
Describe tangible results oriented actions
More Resume Writing Tips
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Writing only a one page resume
Strive for 2-3 pages, not too crowded and visually attractive
Including abbreviations, acronyms without descriptions
Spell out any acronym to help your reader understand
Describing yourself in the first person
Avoid the first person in your resume - I, me, my, myself
Pictures, graphics, excess bolding and underlining
Actual Resume Mistakes
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Giving negative opinions, or thoughts about employers
Ex. “My previous boss did not help me…”
Forgetting to proofread or do spell/grammar check
Use a friend, mentor, coach to help proofread
Leaving off years that show gaps in history
Be prepared to discuss any holes in background
Adding references or personal information to a resume
More Resume Mistakes
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Check your Internet image, Google yourself, and remove or delete
anything in writing or photos that can be viewed as negative
Work to build your professional reputation by writing and speaking in the
industry, get published, write an online blog
Connect with leaders and groups in health IT, and seek recommendations
Make an outstanding digital impression – recruiters and hiring
professionals will look for you online before they call you for an interview
Marketing Yourself - On-Line Image
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Review LinkedIn profiles of key health IT leaders to get ideas for
improving your profile – (HIMSS19 speakers and people you admire)
Consider it your online business card and your most important social
media presence
Utilize a professional portrait photo in business attire
Describe your unique work history in the short summary; add an outline of
your resume with key dates and employers
Join groups, connect with leaders and strive to reach 500+ connections
LinkedIn Building A Strong Profile
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How can you briefly describe yourself to a stranger?
Start a list of adjectives and keywords that describe your style and work
experience – all are unique to you!
Ask peers, old bosses, family and friends how they would describe you
and your background and style
Prepare a 75 word elevator pitch in 5-6 sentences in the first person
Prepare Your Elevator Speech
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Research organization, culture, mission, history, hiring manager and
executives - know everything you can learn
Be ready to answer any question about your skills, experiences, career
plans and goals
Wear formal business attire, arrive 10 minutes early
Exude confidence, a firm handshake, and direct eye contact
Practice, practice, practice
Be Prepared Interview Tips
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Tell me about yourself?
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
What are your greatest strengths?
Give me an example of when you…
How do you handle pressure?
Tell me about your goals?
Interviewing - Tough Questions
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Thank them for their time, offer a handshake and a smile
Ask when you can expect to hear back from them
Follow up with a short note or email thank you
Reach out - connect on LinkedIn
Send three to five business references, if requested
Continue to follow-up, but don’t be desperate
Interview Conclusion and Follow Up
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They want you!
Expect a signed offer letter, with title, salary and/or bonus, start date,
benefits and when they begin
Check out if available relocation expenses, moving of household goods,
temporary housing, realtor visits
Don’t over negotiate, set the right tone for the future, be creative and
know when to stop
Be appreciative of their efforts
Offers and Negotiation Tips
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Assess your skills, attributes and education
Prepare an outstanding resume and keep it updated
Create an outstanding LinkedIn profile
Volunteer/intern for health IT projects
Target/research health IT provider organizations
Learn the health IT vendors and products
Subscribe to online health IT newsletters, attend conferences
Steps to Prepare for a Health IT Career
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Bonnie Siegel, FHIMSS
Email: bonnie.siegel@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bonniesiegel
Thank you!
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Questions